Forget London Irish tomorrow, the first Munster man into action in this season’s Heineken Cup will be running out tonight at Northampton’s Franklin’s Gardens. Simon Lewis explains.

He is a dyed-in-the-wool hurling man who’s made rapid strides through the tiers of rugby refereeing. Ahead of tonight’s European Challenge Cup final, George Clancy spoke to COLM O’CONNOR

IRELAND rugby stars, Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery and Keith Earls got a huge welcome yesterday when they went back to their old Limerick college, St Munchin’s where they honed their rugby skills.

MUNSTER’S concession of aplethora of penalties against New Zealand and Clermont Auvergne has many fans wondering if the players are familiar enough with the current laws.

It is 60 years since Irish rock-blues guitarist was born in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal and final preparations are underway ahead of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2008 that takes place in two weeks.

FRIDAY sees one of the most formidable collection of legends in one room since Homer sat down to write the Odyssey.

CARLOS SPENCER will make his farewell appearance in New Zealand from the bench after being named in the New Zealand Maori reserves for their match against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

ENGLAND’S retired World Cup heroes are unlikely to be on the plane with former boss Clive Woodward for the Lions tour of New Zealand next summer - but everybody else seems to be.

IRFU President Barry Keogh has joined in the congratulations to the four Irishmen confirmed on the British and Irish Lions Management ticket for the Tour to New Zealand.

Clive Woodward today unveiled the largest coaching and management team in Lions history, including Eddie O'Sullivan and Dave McHugh.

Dave McHugh, Ireland’s most capped referee, with 29 Test appearances, has announced his retirement from international rugby.

Clontarf 12 Shannon 14

FORMER Irish international Mick Galwey last night expressed his shock that one of Ireland’s top rugby referees, David McHugh, will not be officiating in this season’s Six Nations competition.

AUSTRALIA coach Eddie Jones has called for Irish referee Dave McHugh to strictly police the breakdown and clamp down on any infringements in order to promote the fast, running rugby style he wants to play against England on Saturday.

The high standing of Irish referees in World rugby has been reflected in the number of prestigious appointments they have received for upcoming summer internationals.

ALL the rage up to a short few weeks ago, Gloucester appear to be running scared in the aftermath of their convincing defeat by Perpignan in Pool 2 of the Heineken European Cup last weekend.

PIETER Van ZYL, the spectator who attacked referee Dave McHugh during the Tri Nations match between South Africa and New Zealand last month, was found guilty of assault in a Durban magistrate’s court yesterday.

STRICKEN referee Dave McHugh admitted he was feeling "a bit shook" after having his shoulder dislocated by a disgruntled Springbok fan at Durban's Kings Park on Saturday.

South Africa 23 New Zealand 30

Connacht 17 Ulster 18